"My chemistry with Aamir can't be repeated"- Pooja Bhatt

By: Faridoon Shahryar, IndiaFM
Friday, 23, November, 2007

“Bipasha and John in Goal will be different from what they were in Jism. Don"t expect the same kind of magic. Give them a break," says Pooja Bhatt, producer of Jism, the first film that brought John Abraham and Bipasha Basu together. The smoldering sparks between the two had set the sea in Pondicherry on a crackling fire. “My chemistry with Aamir Khan in Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin can"t be repeated," she said, reiterating the intensity quotient between stars, maybe the 'It" factor that remains etched forever. The other two films that this duo has done, Aetbaar and Madhoshi sank without a trace.

Pooja looks back at Jism with fond memories. She still remembers how John agreed to do the film even though the heroine was not cast and in spite of knowing that his female counterpart will be having the more meatier-n-juicier role. In fact Pooja had told the hunky model that the song 'Awarapan" (picturised on him) will be remembered much more than 'Jaadu Hai Nasha Hai". “When John and Bipasha will look back through the mist of time, they"d realize Jism is and will always be the defining film in their career."

Bipasha has recently been anointed as the sexiest woman in Asia by a UK based newspaper. What are your comments? “I"m glad that Asia has woken up to the fact that Bipasha is the hottest. That was the reason why I had made her the face of my film. She was on all the hoardings. How often do you see a woman on the hoardings of films?" Well, let"s rewind to Jism yet again. The raw sensuality oozed by Bipasha was a mind boggling experience for the viewers. How did you convince her into doing such a role as this? “Bipasha had her apprehensions. As a woman I would never disregard female form. But I can"t create that magic again," Pooja says.

What about John? You"ve directed him in your debut film Paap. How do you rate him as an actor? “John is a director"s actor. He surrenders completely. If John is bad in a film then it is the director who"s bad. His debut in Jism was sensational but people woke up to him only after Dhoom," Pooja sighs.

Pooja Bhatt is a busy woman who is always in the middle of something or the other. She is writing a book and considering the fact that she is a fantastic writer (her columns in a Mumbai tabloid are a testimony to that), it will be a treat worth looking forward to. But, for now she is not willing to talk about the book writing experience at all. Alright, let"s get you guys some dope on the big budget movie she is directing next starring Aap Ka Surroor star Himesh Reshammiya. So, is the budget really a whopping Rs 30 crore? “Yes it is. We are shooting in three continents in places like Morocco (most of the film will be shot here), England, Dubai, India and Pakistan." What do you think of Himesh"s acting talent? “I work with people because I believe in them," Pooja signs off.